Paper feed system for accounting machines

ABSTRACT

A paper feed system for an accounting machine or the like which includes a main platen and an independent platen over which continuous forms are fed by a line feed mechanism and journal sheets are fed by a form feed mechanism. The line feed and form feed mechanisms are selectively driven from a common shaft through corresponding clutch mechanisms. The common shaft is selectively driven from a continuously rotating motor shaft through a selectively actuated clutch. The engagement of the clutches is controlled by a programmed operating device.

llnited States Patent Cortona et a1.

[451 Apr. 4, 1972 [54] PAPER FEED SYSTEM FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES [72]Inventors: Alessandro Cortona; Piero Musso, both of Torino, Italy [73]Assignee: Ing. C. Olivetti & C., S.p.A., Ivrea, Italy [22] Filed: Jan.16, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 791,666

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 18, 1968 Italy ..50170 A/68[52] 1.1.5. C1. ..l97/129, 197/133 R, 197/138 R [51] Int. Cl. ..B4lj15/18 [58] Field ofSeai-ch ..197/126, 126 A, 128, 129, 132, 197/133,138R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,531,875 3/1925 Ray..197/129 1,931,382 10/1933 Hart ..197/129 2,213,552 9/1940 Scharr...197/129 2,348,059 5/1944 Daly ..l97/l33 2,555,732 6/1951 Dayger et a1..l97/l33 2,566,932 9/1951 Dayger et a1... ....197/l33 2,705,068 3/1955Fleming ..197/129 2,805,748 9/1957 Christian et al ..l97/128 2,841,2657/1958 Uhlig ....l97/l 33 2,862,708 12/1958 Allen ....l97/133 X2,884,852 5/1959 Saltz ..197/l33 X 3,176,819 4/1965 Bloom et a1..197/l33 3,334,722 8/1967 Bernard 197/ 1 33 3,444,977 5/1969 Kinney eta] ..197/l29 Primary Examiner-Ernest T. Wright, Jr. AnarneyBirch,Swindler, McKie & Beckett [5 7] ABSTRACT A paper feed system for anaccounting machine or the like which includes a main platen and anindependent platen over which continuous forms are fed by a line feedmechanism and journal sheets are fed by a form feed mechanism. The linefeed and form feed mechanisms are selectively driven from a c0mmon shaftthrough corresponding clutch mechanisms. The common shaft is selectivelydriven from a continuously rotating motor shaft through a selectivelyactuated clutch. The engagement of the clutches is controlled by aprogrammed operating device.

13 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures Patented April 4, 1972 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 II I I l l I I I l I l l I l I I I I I '0 O0 O O O O O O O INVENIORSALESSAELDRO CORTCNA PI 0 MUSSO Patented April 4, 1972 7 Sheets-Sheet I IW m0? ff w INVENTORS ALESSANDRO CORTONA PIERO MUSSO Patented April 4,1972 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTO ALESSANDRO C(QTONA Pl ERO MUSSO PmmdApril 4, 1972 3,653,483

'7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

& HIIIMIII INVENTORS ALESSANDRO CORTONA PIERO MUSSO Patented April 4,1972 3,653,483

7 Sheets-Sheet 5 VENTO ALESSQ NDRO COE' fONA PIERO MUSSO Patented April4, 1972 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS ALESSANDRO CORTO NA Pl ERO MU SSOPAPER FEED SYSTEM FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION Applicants claim priority from corresponding Italian patentapplication Ser. No. 50170-A68, filed Jan. 18, 1968.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to a paper feed system for an accounting or other suchoffice machine having a platen and a device for rotating the platen toadvance a journal sheet or other document which is guided round theplaten and also a device for advancing continuous forms independently ofthe journal sheet or other document.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various paper feed systems of the typedescribed are known. In these systems, the advance of the journal sheetand the continuous forms is effected by independent means controlledindependently of the program of the machine, as a result of which thesystems are very complicated and costly and require special devices forsynchronizing the operation of the independent means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With a view to obviating such drawbacks, thepresent invention provides a paper feed system for an accounting orother such office machine, comprising a platen, means for guiding asheet of paper around the platen, at least one guide mechanism forcontinuous forms, a first device adapted to be actuated to rotate theplaten and carry the paper sheet along, a second device adapted to beactuated to carry the continuous forms along independently of thejournal sheet, a continuously rotating driving shaft, intermediate meansadapted to be actuated by the driving shaft through the medium of anactuating clutch, a first presetting clutch between the saidintermediate means and the said first device and a second presettingclutch between the said intermediate means and the said second device,and programmed operating means adapted to command the engagement of theactuating clutch and of at least one of the presetting clutches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of anaccounting machine incorporating a paper feed system according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is the first part of a section, on a larger scale, on sectionline II-ll of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is the second part of the larger-scale section on seetionlinell-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing FIGS. 2 and 3 put together;

F IG. 5 is a plan view of a detail of the feed system;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a detail of the system from theleft;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of another detail of the system fromthe left;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of another detail of the system fromthe left;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of another detail of the system fromthe left;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another detail of the system from theleft;

FIG. ,11 is a diagram showing the working principle of the feed system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION General Description The paper feedsystem is incorporated in an accounting machine (FIG. 1) comprising afixed frame formed by two side walls connected by a series of angleirons extending across the machine. The machine moreover comprises twocoaxial shafts 21 and 22 rotatable in the .side walls 20 of the frame ofthe machine and on which there are respectively fixed a main platen 23and an auxiliary platen 24.

The two shafts 21 and 22 are interconnected in such a manner as to becapable of being rotated independently auxiliary as described incopending application Ser. No. 774,375 filed Nov. 8, 1968 in the name ofA. Cortona et al. and assigned to the same assignee as this application,for which reason the auxiliary platen 24 will be referred to hereinafteras the independent platen. The shafts 21 and 22 carry two knobs 26 and27 at the opposite ends for manual operation of the platens 23 and 24 asdescribed in copending application Ser. No. 774,375 filed Nov. 8, 1968as described in copending application Ser. No. 774,375 Nov. 8, 1968 inthe name of A. Cortona et al., and assigned to the same assignee as thisapplication.

Behind platens 23 and 24, spindle 28 is mounted in side walls 20 andsupports at least one roll of paper 29 (FIG. 3) over which is wrapped ajournal sheet 31, which generally concerns only main platen 23. However,two separate rolls of paper 29 for two separate journal sheets 31, onefor each platen 23 and 24, may be mounted side by side on spindle 28.Each journal sheet 31 is guided for a certain distance by two lateralguide plates 32 mounted slidably on bar 33 fixed to side walls 20 of themachine. A support plate 34 (FIG. 2) extending over the entire width ofthe machine is adapted to support journal sheet 31 in the sectionbetween lateral plates 32 and main platen 23 and independent platen 24.As shown in FIG. 2 above main platen 23 and independent platen 24 thereis disposed a series of bail rollers 36. Another series of bail rollers37 is disposed to the rear of platens 23 and 24. A device for raisingand lowering bail rollers 36 and 37 comprises a manually operated lever38 fixed to spindle 39 rotatable in the two side walls 20. Keyed onspindle 39 is a cam 41 against which there normally bears pin 42 onlever 43 pivoted on a fixed spindle 44 and biased to turn clockwise byspring 46. The lever 43 is connected by rod 47 and rod 48 to a secondlever, not shown in the drawing, but which parallels lever 43 at theother side of the machine in such manner as to form a rigid frame. Therod 47 co-operates with a series of lugs 49 integral with correspondingarms 51. The arms 51 can turn on spindle 44 and are connected in pairsby short spindles 52 on which rollers 37 are rotatable, the rollers 37being normally held so that they bear against platens 23 and 24 by meansof a series of springs 53 connecting arms 51 to rod 48.

Keyed on spindle 39 is a plate 54 having a cam slot 56 in which isengaged pin 57 on crank 58 fixed on shaft 59 rotatable in the frame ofthe machine. Also fixed on shaft 59 are two plates 61, only one of whichcan be seen in FIG. 2. The two plates 61 are connected by rod 62 andsupport rule 63 having serrated edge 64 for enabling journal sheet 31 tobe cut. On the rod 62 there is pivoted a series of arms 66 connected inpairs by short spindles 67 on which rollers 36 are rotatable.

Each arm 66 is connected to rule 63 at its rear end by spring 68.

The accounting machine moreover comprises (FIG. 1) a feed arrangementfor two continuous forms 69 and 71 of the type having a series of holes72 on each side. More particularly, shaft 73 rotatable in the side walls20 is provided with an operating knob 74 and carries two pin wheels 76each angularly fast with shaft 73. Two plates 77 fixed to fixedT-section 78 are respectively associated with the two pin wheels 76 andare adapted to support and guide continuous form 69 which is fed off theplaten 23 via wheels 76.

Another shaft 81 rotatable in side walls 20 is provided with anoperating knob 82 and carries two pin wheels 83 each angularly fast withshaft 81. Two plates 84 are fixed to a second fixed T-section bar 86and, similarly to plates 77, are respectively associated with the twopin wheels 83 and are adapted to support and guide continuous form 71which is fed off the platen 24 via wheels 83.

At the back of the machine there is fixed a spindle 93 above and belowwhich are fixed two hollow bar members 94 with rounded edges. Clamps 400(FIG. 3) can be fixed on spindle 93 in suitable transverse positions,each of these clamps 400 being formed by a pair of arms 96 held bearingagainst bar members 94 by compression spring 97. The two continuousforms 69 71 are fed in between bar members 94 respectively and thecorresponding arms 96 of the clamps. The forms 69 and 71 are moreoversupported and guided towards platens 23 and 24 by plate 98 secured tothe side walls 20.

The form 69 can be drawn off by pin wheels 76 and form 71 can be drawnoff by pin wheels 83.

Mounted in the front parts of side walls 20, below platens 23 and 24, isa series of front paper-pressing rollers 101 (FIG. 2) adapted to holdcontinuous forms 69 and 71 in contact with platens 23 and 24. Theopening and closing of front rollers 101 is effected by eccentric 102keyed on shaft 103 adapted to be rotated through 180 in a mannerconventionally known under the control of the program-equipped operatingdevice 145 (FIG. 11) or as a result of manual operation. A connectingrod 104 (FIG. 2) co-operates with eccentric 102 and is connected in turnto crank 106 keyed on shaft 107 rotatable in the two side walls of themachine.

Pairs of levers 108 connected by small rods 109 are keyed on shaft 107(FIG. 1). Connected to rods 109 (FIG. 2) by means of springs 111 arepairs of levers 112 pivoted on shaft 107 and connected by short spindles113 on which rollers 101 are rotatable. In correspondence with each pairof levers 112 there is disposed a plate 114 connected to rod 109 bymeans of a spring 115 and provided with two lateral guide tongues 116co-operating with lever 112. Each plate 114 is moreover provided with apin 117, by means of which it bears on shaft 107, and with two lugs 118connected to the two levers 112 by a pin 401 and slot 402.

On the front parts of side walls 20 there are fixed two guides 120 and121 on which carriage 124 bearing a group of type wheels 126 is slidableby means of rollers 122 and 123, respectively. The carriage 124 can beshifted transversely step by step or in tabulating jumps to bring wheels126 to write in the various transverse positions ofjournal sheet 31 andofthe continuous forms 69 and 71 in known manner.

To insert a journal sheet 31 and the continuous forms 69 and 71 (FIG. 2)over the platens 23 and 24, it is necessary to open rollers 36, 37 and101. Normally, at the end of an accounting operation, the program of themachine (FIG. 1) causes shaft 103 to rotate through 180 with respect tothe position shown in FIG. 2. The eccentric 102 rotates with shaft 103and causes connecting rod 104 to shift to the left. The connecting rod104 causes crank 106, shaft 107 and levers 108 to rotate clockwise. Thesprings 111 and 115 are then relaxed and allow levers 112 and plates 114to turn clockwise through their own weight, as a result of which rollers101 move away from platens 23 and 24.

To open top rollers 36 and rear rollers 37, lever 38 is depressed,causing spindle 39, cam 41 and plate 54 to rotate anticlockwise. Bymeans of slot 56 and pin 57, plate 54 causes crank 58 and shaft 59 torotate anticlockwise. Consequently, plates 61 also rotate anticlockwisetogether with shaft 59 and move rollers 36 away from platens 23 and 24.The cam 41, in turn, allows lever 43 to turn clockwise by the action ofspring 46. The rod 47 acts on the abutments 49 of arms 51 and causes thelatter to turn clockwise together with rollers 37, which therefore moveaway from platens 23 and 24.

r The journal sheet 31 is now introduced first by unrolling it from roll29 (FIG. 3). The journal sheet 31 passes forward between the lateralguide plates 32 and over support plate 34 (FIG. 2), is inserted betweenrollers 37 and 101 and platen 23 and passed round the latter, passesbelow rollers 36, slides in the rearward direction over plate 34 andbetween the lateral plates 32 and, passing above roll 29, arrives behindthe machine, where it is collected in a hopper, which is not shown inthe drawing. After the journal sheet 31 has been introduced, rollers 36and 37 can be closed by raising manual operating lever 38.

The perforated continuous forms 69 and 71, which are normally folded inzig-zag form in containers not shown in the drawing and arranged at theback of the accounting machine, are then introduced. The forms 69 and 71are inserted between bar members 94 and the corresponding arms 96 of theclamps 400 fixed on spindle 93 and are made to slide over guide plate98. The forms 69 and 71 then pass between rollers 101 and platens 23 and24.

The form 69 is finally carried over pin wheels 76 (FIGS. 1 and 2) andthe lateral perforations 72 are engaged with the pins of wheels 76, theform 69 resting on plates 77. Similarly, form 71 is brought intoengagement with pin wheels 83 and rests on plates 84. The forms 69 and71 are then collected in the hoppers of known type not shown in thedrawing which are arranged at the back of the machine.

FEED OF THE JOURNAL SHEET The main platen 23 and the independent platen24 can be rotated independently of one another by two separatelinespacing control arrangements. The line-spacing control arrangementof main platen 23 is contained in a housing comprising two side walls130 and 131 (FIG. 5) connected by three spaced plates 132, 133 and 134.A dividing wall 136 is connected between plates 133 and 134. The sidewalls 130 and 131 can be mounted easily on the fixed frame of themachine at four points 137.

The line-spacing control arrangement for platen 23 comprises apresetting electromagnet 138 (FIG. 11) which is normally deenergized andadapted to be energized by a programmed operating device indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral and comprising, for example, amagnetic tape on which the program information is recorded. Theelectromagnet 138 (FIG. 6) is provided with an armature 139 pivoting ona fixed spindle 140 and connected by a pin 403 and slot 404 to a slider141 drawn to the right (in FIG. 6) by a spring 142. The slider 141 isprovided with a slot 143 in engagement with shaft 144 adapted to beshifted cyclically along a closed path by means ofa kinematic chain ofthe type shown in FIG. 7 and described in copending application Ser. No.773,872 filed Nov. 6, 1968 in the name of A. Cortona et al. and assignedto the same assignee as this application, now abandoned.

The kinematic chain is actuated by a main shaft 146 (FIG. 7) adapted tobe rotated clockwise cyclically by clutch 147. The shaft 146 (FIG. 5)has keyed to it a helical gear 262 which is fast with the driving partof the clutch 147 and meshes with a helical gear 263 fixed on a shaft264 rotatable in the walls 131, 136. The shaft 264 is connected by meansof a pair of helical gears 266, 267 to a shaft 268 rotatable in thewalls 133 134. Fixed to the shaft 268 is a helical gear 269 meshing witha helical gear 271 fixed to a main driving shaft 239 rotatedcontinuously by an electric motor not shown in the drawing.

The clutch 147 (FIG. 7) is normally held open or disengaged by an armofa bail 148 pivoted on a fixed spindle 149 and adapted to cooperatewith a tooth 151 of clutch 147. The ball 148 is provided with an arm 152adapted to cooperate with cam 153 on shaft 146. The bail 148 moreoverhas a lug 154 which is normally held by spring so that it bears againstlever 155 pivoted on fixed spindle 156 and connected by means of a pin405 and slot 406 and spring to slider corresponding to the slider 41 ofpatent application Ser. No. 773,872 to which reference has been made.The slider 170 is normally held in the position shown in FIG. 7 by astart electromagnet 157 (FIG. 11) which is normally energized and isdriven by device 145.

The slider 141 (FIG. 6) is moreover provided with lug 158 adapted tocooperate alternately with the ends of two push rods 159 and 161. Thepush rods 159 and 161 are normally guided vertically by a fixed spindle162 and are pivoted to two opposite arms of a rocking lever 163 pivotingon fixed spindle 164. The rocking lever 163 is in engagement with slider166 slidable horizontally on fixed spindle 167 and connected by means oflever 168 to slider 169. The latter is provided with pin 171 inserted innotch 172 in rocking lever 173 pivoted on fixed spindle 175.

The rocking lever 173 is provided with a second notch 176 engagingflange 177 of sleeve 178 slidable on shaft 179 rotatable inwalls 130 and131 (FIG. 5). The sleeve 178 (FIG. 6) is angularly fast with shaft 179and forms the driven part of a presetting clutch 181. The sleeve 178 isprovided with a dog 182 adapted to engage with a notch 411 in cup 183which forms the driving part of clutch 181. The cup 183 is fast with agear 184 rotatable on shaft 179 and in mesh with gear 186 fixed on shaft187 rotatable in plates 132 and 133 (FIG. 5).

Moreover on shaft 179 there is fixed a gear 188 in mesh with a gear 189(FIGS. 1, 3 and 6). The gear 189 is fixed to an inclined shaft 191 (FIG.2 and 3) which is adapted to rotate shaft 21 (FIG. 1), through a pair ofgears 192 and 193, by one step for each half revolution of shaft 179.

The line-spacing control arrangement for independent platen 24 issimilar to that for platen 23 and is disposed in the same housing 130,134. It comprises a presetting electromagnet 196 (FIG. 11) which isnormally deenergized and is adapted to be driven by the programmeddevice 145. The electromagnet 196 is connected mechanically to acorresponding presetting clutch 197, the dash lines in FIG. 11representing mechanical connections and the continuous linesrepresenting electrical connections. The clutch 197 (FIG. 5) is adaptedto rotate shaft 198, receiving its motion from shaft 187 via a pair ofgears 199, 201. The shaft 198 can rotate (FIG. 1) an inclined shaft 204through a pair ofgears 202, 203 and the inclined shaft 204 is adapted torotate shaft 22, through another pair of helical gears 206 and 207, byone step for each half evolution of shaft 198.

The actuation of the line-spacing, both of platen 23 and of platen 24,is controlled by an actuating electromagnet 208 (FIG. 11) which isnormally deenergized and is also adapted to be energized by programmeddevice 145. The electromagnet 208 (FIG. 7) comprises armature 209pivoting on fixed spindle 140 and connected by a pin and slot 407 toslider 211. The armature 209 is normally held detached fromelectromagnet 208 by spring 212. The slider 211 is provided with a slot213 in engagement with shaft 214 movable along a closed path in asimilar manner to shaft 144 (FIG. 6). The slider 211 (FIG. 7) ismoreover provided with lug 216 adapted to cooperate with one end of rod217 which is pivoted at the other end to rocking lever 218 turning onspindle 164. The rod 217 is slidable vertically on fixed spindle 162 bymeans of notch 219.

The rocking lever 218 engages slider 221 slidable horizontally onspindle 167 and drawn to the left in FIG. 7 by spring 222. The slider221 is connected to lever 223 which can turn on fixed spindle 224. Thelever 223 is provided with an extension 226 against which there normallybears a tongue 227 of bail 228 turning on fixed spindle 229 and biasedto pivot anticlockwise by spring 231. The bail 228 is moreover providedwith tooth 232 which normally engages tooth 233 of clutch 234 and which,when engaged, connects gear 236 (FIG. 5) to shaft 237. The gear 236 isin mesh with gear 238 fixed on main shaft 239.

On the spindle 224 (FIG. 7) there is pivoted another bail 241 equippedwith pin 242 engaged in a notch 412 ofbail 228. The ball 241 is moreoverprovided with arm 243, adapted to cooperate with tooth 233 of clutch234, and with arm 244 adapted to cooperate with cam 246 fixed on shaft237. On the latter there is moreover keyed bevel pinion 247 (FIGS. 5 and6) meshing with bevel pinion 248 keyed on shaft 187.

The push rod 217 (FIG. 7) has a step 251 against which there bears, bythe action of spring 252, bar 253 of bail 254. The latter is pivoted onspindle 149 and is equipped with pin 256 against which there bears, bythe action of spring 257, projection 258 of bail 259 pivoted on spindle156. The bail 259 is moreover provided with arm 261 normally located outof the path of lug 154 of bail 148.

An extension 332 of lever 331 (FIG. 9) which can turn on spindle 224 cancooperate with tongue 227 of bail 228. The extension 332 is normally outof the path of tongue 227. The lever 331 is connected to slider 333slidable on spindle 167. The slider 333 is drawn to the left by spring336 and is engaged with rocking lever 337 rotatable on spindle 164. Therocking lever 337 is connected by means of bar 338 to lever 339 pivotingon spindle 149. The lever 339 is adapted to cooperate with cam 342 fixedon shaft 146 of start clutch 147.

Let it be assumed first of all that the programmed operating device(FIG. 11) of the accounting machine requires line spacing on main platen23. The start electromagnet 157 is then deenergized temporarily and thepresetting electromagnet 138 is energized in the manner which will beseen better hereinafter. Since the electromagnet 157 is deenergized, itpermits slider 170 to move to the right in FIG. 7 and cause lever 155 toturn anticlockwise. The latter movement releases lug 154, as a result ofwhich, due to the action of spring 160, bail 148 turns clockwise andreleases tooth 151 of clutch 147, which is engaged and causes shaft 146to begin a clockwise revolution. The arm 152 of bail 148 then bearsagainst cam 153 on the shaft 146.

At the beginning of the cycle, cam 153 causes bail 148 to temporarilyturn anticlockwise. Since, however, the start electromagnet 157 (FIG.11) is still deenergized, lever 155 does not block lug 154 and bail 148remains under the control of cam 153. During this cycle, shaft 146produces the movement of shaft 144 (FIG. 6) and shaft 214 (FIG. 7) alonga closed path. First of all, shaft 144 (FIG. 6) shifts to the left and,through the medium of slider 141, brings armature 139 into contact withelectromagnet 138, the armature 139 remaining attracted by the latter.The lug 158 is thus brought below the end ofpush rod 159.

When shaft 144 thereafter begins to move upwards, lug 158 causes pushrod 159 to move upwards and this causes rocking lever 163 to pivotclockwise. The rocking lever 163 shifts slider 166 forward and by meansof lever 168 this slider 166 shifts slider 169 to the right. The lattercauses rocking lever 173 to turn anticlockwise and, through the mediumof flange 177, this rocking lever 173 causes sleeve 178 to slide onshaft 179 and engage clutch 181. In the event that the presettingelectromagnet 138 is not energized, armature 139 does not remainattracted to it. The armature 139 and slider 14, are held back by spring142 and thus the lug 158 is located below the end of push rod 161 duringthat portion of the closed path movement of shaft 144 which lifts lug158 in an upward direction. It is to be noted that the lower portion ofpush rod 159 is closer to presetting electromagnet 138 than the lowerportion of push rod 161 which thereby permits selective actuation ofeither of the push rods 159, 161 depending on whether the presettingelectromagnet 138 is energized. During this first cycle, shaft 214 (FIG.7) is also shifted, but its action has no effect since electromagnet 208is still deenergized. The action of cam 342 (FIG. 9) of the main shaft146 also has no effect on bail 228 (FIG. 7), because extension 332 (FIG.9) is still out of the path of tongue 227.

Thereafter, shaft 146 causes switch 270 (FIG. 11) to close temporarilyin a manner known conventionally and in a manner shown in the referencedapplication Ser. No. 773,872. The switch 270 sends a signal to theprogrammed device 145 which, as will be seen better hereinafter, effectsthe reenergization of start electromagnet 157 and the energization ofthe line-spacing actuating electromagnet 208. The electromagnet 157 nowbrings slider 170 back into the position shown in FIG. 7, but, sincebail 148 is now turned clockwise by the action of cam 153, lever 155 isblocked by lug 154 and tensions spring 165. At the end of the cycle ofshaft 146, arm of bail 148 therefore does not disengage clutch 147, as aresult of which shaft 146 begins a second cycle.

At the beginning of this second cycle, when cam 153 causes bail 148 toturn anticlockwise, lug 154 releases lever which, due to the action ofspring 165, jumps below lug 154, looking it in the position shown inFIG. 7. In this way, the disengagement of clutch 147 at the end of thissecond cycle is prearranged. During this second cycle, shaft 214 firstmoves towards electromagnet 208 and slider 211 then brings the armature209 into contact with electromagnet 208, the armature 209 remainingattracted thereby. In turn, lug 216 of slider 211 is shifted below theend of push rod 217. In the event that electromagnet 208 is notenergized, armature 209 does not remain attracted to it. The armature209 and slider 211 are held back by spring 212 and thus the lug 216 isnot located below the end of push rod 217 during that portion of theclosed path movement of shaft 214 which lifts lug 216 in an upwarddirection. In this case as lug 216 is lifted, its movement will notcontact the push rod 217 at all. Therefore, depending on whetherelectromagnet 208 is energized, push rod 217 may be selectively actuatedby lug 216 during its closed path movement.

Simultaneously, cam 342 (FIG. 9) on shaft 146 causes lever 339 to turnclockwise and push bar 338 upwards. The latter then causes rocking lever337 to pivot clockwise and push slider 333 to the right in the drawing.

The lever 331 then brings its extension 332 below tongue 227, where itremains until the end of the cycle of shaft 146.

Thereafter, when shaft 214 (FIG. 7) is shifted upwards, lug 216 shiftsrod 217 upwards. The rod 217 then acts by means of its step 251 on bar253, causing bail 254 to turn clockwise. The spring 257 therefore causesbail 259 to turn anticlockwise and bring its arm 261 under lug 154. Thearm 261 thus prevents the initiation of another cycle of shaft 146 untilrod 217 returns to the low position.

Moreover, as rod 217 moves upward, it causes rocking lever 218 to pivotclockwise and move slider 221 to the right. The latter causes lever 223to turn anticlockwise and release tongue 227 of bail 228. The spring 231is unable to make bail 228 turn anticlockwise, however, since tongue 227is locked by lever 331 (FIG. 9). If, therefore, the presettingelectromagnet 138 (FIG. 6) has been deenergized by chance during thesecond cycle of shaft 146, clutch 181 can be disengaged while thedriving part of the kinematic chain is still stationary.

At the end of the second cycle of shaft 146, cam 342 (FIG. 9) allowsspring 336 to release tongue 227 from extension 332, as a result ofwhich spring 231 (FIG. 7) causes bail 228 to turn anticlockwise. Thelatter, in turn, causes bail 241 to turn clockwise and bring its arm 244into contact with cam 246 and release tooth 233 from arm 243. This tooth233 then causes clutch 234 to engage, so that shaft 237 begins to rotateclockwise. By means of bevel pinions 247 and 248 (FIG. 6), shaft 237 nowsets shaft 187 in rotation and, therefore, also shaft 179, via clutch181, which has been engaged before. Via the helical gears 188, 189,shaft 191 (FIG. 3) and gears 192 and 193 (FIG. 2), shaft 179 causesshaft 21 to rotate together with main platen 23 (FIG. 1).

Moreover, during the rotation of shaft 237 (FIG. 7), cam 246 acts on arm244, causing bail 241 to turn anticlockwise and, therefore, bail 228 toturn clockwise. The arm 243 is therefore brought back into the path oftooth 233, so that after shaft 237 has rotated through 180 clutch 234 isdisengaged. The tongue 227 of bail 228 is now locked in the highposition by extension 226 of lever 223, which has been brought back intothe position of FIG. 7 by spring 222 when shaft 214 has shifteddownwards.

If the programmed device 145 (FIG. 11) now requires line spacing onindependent platen 24 (FIG. 1), the electromagnets 157 and 208 (FIG. 11)are driven in a manner just the same as that described before, whilepresetting electromagnet 196 is energized in place of electromagnet 138.The start electromagnet 157 engages clutch 147 which, under the controlof electromagnet 196, produces the engagement of clutch 197 presettingthe line spacing of platen 24 by means of a kinematic chain similar tothat of electromagnet 138 described with reference to FIG. 6.

As the electromagnet 138 is not now energized, armature 139 does notcontinue to be attracted by electromagnet 138 and lug 158 of slider 141is disposed below push rod 161. When shaft 144 moves upwards, push rod161, acting via rocking lever 163, slider 166, lever 168, slider 169 androcking lever 173, reopens clutch 181 presetting the line spacing ofplaten 23. The actuating electromagnet 208 (FIG. 7 in turn, causes bails228 and 241 to turn in opposite directions as in the preceding case. Thearm 243 thus releases tooth 233, thereby engaging clutch 234, whichtransmits (FIG. 5) the rotation to shaft 187 and, consequently, viaclutch 197, to shaft 198 (FIG. 1), which causes shaft 22 to rotatetogether with independent platen 24. After shaft 237 (FIG. 7) hasrotated through 180, tooth 233 is again arrested by tooth 232.

Of course, line spacing of platen 24 can be operated simultaneously withthat of platen 23 by energizing the two presetting electromagnets 138and 196 (FIG. 11) simultaneously.

FEED OF THE CONTINUOUS FORMS The continuous forms 69, 71 can advancestep by step or in rapid-feed jumps. The step-by-step advance iseffected by a line-spacing control arrangement for pin wheels 76, 83which is similar to that for platens 23 and 24 and disposed in the samehousing 130, 134 and is actuated by the same actuating electromagnet 208(FIGS. 7 and 11).

The line-spacing control arrangement for continuous form 69 comprises apresetting electromagnet 272 (FIG. 11) which is normally deenergized andis adapted to be energized by programmed device 145. The electromagnet272 is connected to a corresponding presetting clutch 273 (FIG. 5) bymeans of a kinematic chain similar to that described with reference toFIG. 6 in the case of the line-spacing control arrangement for platen23. The clutch 273 is adapted to transmit rotation of the shaft 187 toshaft 277 by means of a pair of helical gears 275 and 276. Through themedium of a pair of helical gears 278 and 279 (FIG. 3), thelast-mentioned shaft 277 produces the rotation of an inclined shaft 281which is adapted to rotate shaft 73 together with pin wheels 76, viaanother pair of helical gears 282 and 283, by one step for eachrevolution of shaft 277 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

The line-spacing control arrangement for the continuous form 71comprises a presetting electromagnet 284 (FIG. 11) which is normallydeenergized and is adapted to be energized by programmed device 145. Theelectromagnet 284 is connected to a corresponding presetting clutch 286(FIG. 5) by means of a kinematic chain similar to that of electromagnet272 and to that described with reference to FIG. 6. The clutch 286 isadapted to transmit rotation of shaft 187 to shaft 289 by means ofa pairof helical gears 287, 288. Through the medium of a pair of helical gears291, 292 (FIG. 3), the last-mentioned shaft 289 rotates an inclinedshaft 293 which is adapted to rotate shaft 81 together with pin wheels83, via another pair of helical gears 294, 296, by one step for eachhalf revolution of shaft 289.

The feed of the continuous forms 69, 71 in jumps is preset (FIG. 11) bythe same electromagnets 272 and 284 that prearrange the line spacing.The actuation, on the other hand, is controlled by another actuatingelectromagnet 297 which is normally deenergized, this electromagnet 297comprising (FIG. 8) an armature 298 pivoting on spindle and engaged bymeans of a notch 413 over pin 299 fixed to slider 301, the armature 298being normally held detached from electromagnet 297 by spring 302. Theslider 301 is supported by shaft 214 by means of slot 303. Pivoted onpin 299 is slider 304 connected by means of spring 306 and a pin 409 andslot 408 connection to lever 308 which can turn on fixed spindle 309.The lever 308 is moreover connected to one end of bar 311. The other endof bar 311 is connected to rocking lever 312 pivoting on spindle 164.The rocking lever 312 is provided with tooth 310 adapted to cooperatewith tooth 313 of bail 314 pivoted on fixed spindle 167.

The bail 314 is moreover provided with lug 315 adapted to cooperate withshoulder 316 of slider 221 controlling the production of the linespacing. The bail 314 is also provided with arm 320 carrying pin 317engaged slot 321 in slider 323. The latter is moreover connected to arm320 by means of spring 322 and is drawn to the right in FIG. 8 by spring324. The slider 323 is pivoted to lever 325 pivoted on fixed spindle 229and adapted to cooperate with cam 326 fixed on shaft 237 of actuatingclutch 234 for the line spacing (FIG. 7).

The feed jump of each perforated form 69 and 71 is controlled bycorresponding photoelectric devices 327 and 328 (FIG. 11). 11)- Thesephotoelectric devices 327 and 328 are conventionally known and aredescribed only briefly here. Each photoelectric device 327, 328comprises an endless tape 415 having a length corresponding to thesingle form 69, 71 and adapted to advance synchronously with thecorresponding forms 69 and 71, respectively. The tape 415 is perforatedalong five tracks 416. In each track 416 the holes 417 represent thesuccessive vertical positions in which a form 69, 71 is to stop. Thetrack 416 to be read is selected in known manner by programmed device145 of the accounting machine.

In order to drive device 327 it is connected by means of gear 381 (FIG.to shaft 382 rotatable in plates 132, 133 of housing 130, 134. The shaft382 is connected by means of a worm wheel 383 and a worm 384 to shaft277 of clutch 273 for pin wheels 76 which carry form 69 along. Similarlydevice 328 (FIG. 11) is connected by means of gear 386 (FIG. 5) to shaft387 rotatable in the same plates 132, 133. The shaft 387 is connected bymeans of a worm wheel 338 and a worm 389 to shaft 289 of clutch 286 forpin wheels 83 which carry form 71 along.

When the programmed device 145 (FIG. 11) of the machine requires a feedjump, it energizes start electromagnet 157 and presetting electromagnet272 or 284 in the manner which will be described hereinafter. Moreover,device 145 energizes both line-spacing actuating electromagnet 208 andjump actuating electromagnet 297. Finally, the programmed device-145selects in the photoelectric device 327 or 328 corresponding to theenergized presetting electromagnet 272 or 284 that track 416 of theperforated tape 415 which is to be read to control the jump to beeffected. As already seen, owing to the actuation of the line spacing,slider 221 is shifted to the right in FIG. 8. The slider 221 thendeprives lug 315 of the support of shoulder 316.

During the 180 rotation of shaft 237, shaft 73 (FIG. 2) or shaft 81 isnow rotated, according to whether electromagnet 272 (FIG. 11) orelectromagnet 284 has been energized. When cam 326 (FIG. 8) on shaft 237causes lever 325 to turn clockwise, the lever 325 causes the return ofslider 323 to the left. The bail 314, however, remains locked by tooth310 of rocking lever 312, thus tensioning spring 322. The slider 221therefore cannot be brought back to the left to produce thedisengagement of clutch 234 (FIG. 7) and shaft 237 continues to rotate,producing a series of line-spacing operations on the continuous form 69,71 selected.

When photoelectric device 327 or 328 (FIG. 11) reads a hole 417 on theselected track, the hole indicating the end of the feed jump, itgenerates a signal which is transmitted to programmed device 145. Inresponse, programmed device 145 causes electromagnet 297 (FIG. 8) to bedeenergized, as a result of which spring 302 causes armature 298 to bemoved away and lever 308, together with bar 311 and rocking lever 312,to return to the position of FIG. 8. The tooth 310 thus releases tooth313 of bail 314 which, under the control of shaft 237, now releases step316 of slider 221 from lug 315. The slider 221 is now brought back tothe inoperative position by spring 222, so that at the end of the cycleofshaft 237, lever 223 (FIG. 7) locks bail 228 in the position shown inthe drawing, disengaging clutch 234.

Of course, the line-spacing movement can be effected simultaneously inthe two continuous forms 69 and 71 (FIG.

1) and simultaneously with the line spacing on platens 23 and 24. Inaddition, the feed jump can be effected simultaneously in the twocontinuous forms 69 and 71. In this case, however, the programmed device145 (FIG. 11) selects the track 416 to be read only on one of the twophotoelectric devices 327, 328, as a result of which the two forms 69and 71 will perform equal jumps. If the two forms 69 and 71 requirejumps of different lengths, the programmed device 145 can be prearrangedin such manner as to command, after the common jump, a second jump forthat form 69 or 71 requiring ajump of greater length.

ill

Finally, if, on command of the feed of the continuous forms 69 and 71(FIG. 2), shaft 103 is holding paper-pressing rollers 101 againstplatens 23 and 24, the programmed operating device (FIG. 11),simultaneously with the energization of electromagnets 272 and 284,commands rotation of shaft 103 (FIG. 2) in such manner as to releaseforms 69 and 71 themselves. The spring 324 (FIG. 8) then causes slider323 to move to the right and the slider 323 causes bail 314 to turnclockwise and couple shoulder 316 with lug 315 in such manner as toprevent the return of slider 221 to the left. Moreover, slider 323causes lever 325 to turn anticlockwise, bringing it into contact withcam 326.

This coupling action occurs on the command of any linespacing operation.However, during the cycle of shaft 237, cam 326 normally causes lever325 to turn clockwise and, via slider 323, cause bail 314 to turnanticlockwise and release slider 221, which is thus brought back to theinoperative position, to the left in FIG. 8, by spring 222.

In the case of command of a feed jump of the continuous forms 69 and 71,since electromagnet 297 is energized together with electromagnet 208(FIG. 11), in the second cycle of main shaft 146 (FIG. 7), armature 298(FIG. 8) is brought into contact with electromagnet 297 by shaft 214, asa result of which pin 299 is also moved to the left together with slider304. By means of spring 306, the latter causes lever 308 to turnclockwise and the lever 308 pushes bar 311 upwards. The rocking lever312 is thus rotated anticlockwise so as to bring tooth 310 below tooth313 of bail 314, so that the latter remains locked in the coupledposition of slider 221.

FEED CONTROL The various controls effected by the programmed operatingdevice 145 (FIG. 11) for producing the various paper feed operationswill now be described in detail. To this end, the programmed operatingdevice 145 comprises an electronic unit 340 adapted to read from time totime the program information recorded on a magnetic tape in the form ofseparate characters for each operation to be effected, and to transmitthe relative signals to a series of control circuits. More particularly,for control of the feed movements of the paper, between the electronicunit 340 and the four presetting electromagnets 138, 196, 272 and 284there are provided four corresponding flip-flops RP, RS, SI and SS. Theunit 340 is adapted to switch each of these flip-flops RP, RS, SI and SSto a first operative state to energize the corresponding electromagnet138, 196, 272, or 284, on reading of the corresponding character on themagnetic tape. In the absence of such character, unit 340 brings thecorresponding flip-flop RP, RS, SI and SS back into the other state, inwhich the respective electromagnet 138, 196, 272, or 284 is deenergized.

The unit 340 is adapted to drive the start electromagnet 157 by means ofa START flip-flop normally in the operative state to energize startelectromagnet 208. On the reading of the corresponding character, unit340 sends a signal to a coincidence or AND circuit 391. On the closingof switch 270, the coincidence circuit 391 then transmits a signal whichchanges the flip-flop INT over to the operative state to energizeelectromagnet 208. The flip-flop INT is then changed over to theinoperative state on the closing of switch 356, which is normally openand is adapted to be actuated by means of arm 353 (FIG. 10) of bail 351pivoted on fixed spindle 352. A second arm 350 of bail 351 is connectedby means of connecting rod 349 to another bail 347 pivoted on a fixedspindle 348 and normally bearing by the action of spring 344 and arm 346on the cam 343 of actuating shaft 237.

A second switch 362 is adapted to be actuated by lever 359 rotatable onspindle 352 and normally bearing by the action of spring 358 against aneccentric 357 mounted on shaft 103 (FIG. 2) controlling the frontpaper-pressing rollers 101. The switch 362 (FIG. 11) is connectedelectrically to the electronic unit 340 to signal the position ofrollers 101 (FIG. 2) continuously to unit 340 so as to permitsimultaneously with the energization of the presetting electromagnets272 and 284, the prearrangement of the rotation of shaft 103 if therollers 101 are in the open position.

The electromagnet 297 (FIG. 11) is driven by unit 340 by means offlip-flop SAL, normally in the inoperative state, to energizeelectromagnet 297. On the reading of the corresponding character, unit340 transmits a signal to a coincidence or AND circuit 392. On theclosing of switch 270, the coincidence circuit 392 then sends a signalwhich changes flipflop SAL over into the the operative state to energizethe electromagnet 297.

The flip-flop SAL is then changed over into the inoperative state whenone of the photoelectric devices 327 and 328 reads the end-of-feed-jumpposition on the track 416 of the perforated tape 415 selected by unit340.

Since contact 270 is closed by shaft 146 (FIG. 7) after shaft 214 hasmoved upwards, flip-flops INT and SAL (FIG. 11) remain in theinoperative state and the electromagnets 208 and 297 remain deenergizedduring the first part of the first cycle of shaft 146. The flip-flopsINT and SAL thus energize actuating electromagnets 208 and 297 with adelay with respect to the presetting electromagnets 138, 196, 272 and284, as a result of which the relevant command is effected only in thesecond cycle of shaft 146.

We claim:

1. In a paper feed system for an accounting or like machine including acylindrical platen for supporting ajournal sheet, a line feed mechanismoperable to rotate the platen for line feeding said journal sheet, aform feed mechanism operable for feeding a continuous form around theplaten independently from said journal sheet and superimposed thereto, afirst feed shaft rotatable for operating said line feed mechanism, asecond feed shaft parallel to said first feed shaft and rotatable foroperating said form feed mechanism, a continuously rotatable motorshaft, and programmed operating means, the improvement comprising:

a normally disengaged first presetting clutch engageable for causingsaid first feed shaft to be rotated, a normally disengaged secondpresetting clutch engageable for causing said second feed shaft to berotated, a driving member included in each one of said presettingclutches and rotatably mounted on the corresponding one of said firstand second feed shafts, a driven member included in each one of saidpresetting clutches and rotatable bodily with said corresponding feedshaft, each of said driven members being engageable with thecorresponding driving member only when said corresponding driving memberis stationary, a common shaft located perpendicular to said first andsecond feed shafts and drivingly connected to said driving members forconcomitant rotation, a normally disengaged actuating clutch engageablefor causing said common shaft to be rotated by said motor shaft, andengaging means controlled by said programmed operating means to causethe engagement of said actuating clutch and selectively of said firstand second presetting clutches.

2. A paper feed system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of saiddriven members is formed of a sleeve axially slidable but angularlysecured to the corresponding feed shaft, said sleeve being provided witha projection engageable with a notch provided in the correspondingdriving member.

3. A paper feed system as recited in claim 1, comprising a cyclicactuating mechanism operable under the control of the programmedoperating means, said engaging means comprising for each of theactuating and first and second presetting clutches an electromagnet, anarmature and an element connected to said armature and actuated by saidcyclic actuating mechanism upon energization of the correspondingelectromagnet for causing the engagement of the corresponding clutch.

4. A paper feed system as recited in claim 3 wherein the cyclicactuating mechanism comprises a start clutch and further engaging meansfor engaging said start clutch under the control of the programmedoperating means simultaneously with energization of the electromagnetscorresponding to the first and second presetting clutches.

5. A paper feed system as recited in claim 4 further comprising: causingmeans for causing the start clutch to effect two consecutive cycles, theelement relative to the selected presetting clutch being actuated bysaid cyclic actuating mechanism during a first cycle of said startclutch, and

control means actuated by the cyclic actuating mechanism to delay theaction of the programmed operating means on the electromagnet of theactuating clutch to cause the corresponding element to be actuatedduring the second cycle of the start clutch.

6. A paper feed system as recited in claim 5 wherein the actuatingclutch is of the one-cycle type,

said programmed operating means including means to selectively energizeanother electromagnet to prevent disengagement of the actuating clutchat the end of the cycle so that the feed commanded constitutes a jumpconsisting of a plurality of line-spacing steps.

7. A paper feed system as recited in claim 6 further comprising:

means to deenergize the said another electromagnet by a signal derivedwhen the required paper jump has been effected.

8. A paper feed system as recited in claim 5 wherein the start clutch isnormally held disengaged by a release element releaseable by a startelectromagnet when said start electromagnet is deenergized by theprogrammed operating means,

said causing means comprising a switch operable to be closed to energizethe start electromagnet,

the cyclic actuating mechanism being operative first to engage therelease element and then to close said switch, as a result of which thisengagement remains without any effect in the first cycle of the cyclicactuating mechanism.

9. A paper feed system as recited in claim 8 wherein said startelectromagnet is energized by a bistable circuit brought into aninoperative state by the programmed operating means and restored to theoperative state when the switch is closed.

10. A paper feed system as recited in claim 8 wherein the electromagnetof the actuating clutch is energized by a bistable circuit brought intoan operative state by the programmed operating means and restored to theinoperative state on the closing of said switch effected during thecycle of the actuating clutch.

11. A paper feed system as recited in claim 7 wherein said means toselectively energize another electromagnet includes a bistable circuitbrought into an operating state by the programmed operating means andsaid means to deenergize another electromagnet includes a photo-electrictape reader which senses a tape associated with each one of saidpresetting clutches and moved by the associated presetting clutch whenengaged.

12. A paper feed system as recited in claim 1 wherein said cylindricalplaten includes a main platen for supporting the journal sheet and thecontinuous form and an independent platen for supporting a secondcontinuous form, a second form feed mechanism for advancing the secondcontinuous form over said independent platen, said second form feedmechanism being advanced by a third feed shaft, said third feed shaftbeing provided with a normally disengaged third presetting clutchincluding a third driving member rotated by said common shaft on theengagement of the actuating clutch, and wherein the driven member ofeach of said presetting clutches comprises a sleeve axially slidable onthe corresponding feed shaft and engageable with the respective drivingmember by axial movement thereof.

13. A paper feed system as recited in claim 12 wherein said actuatingclutch is of the type having a cycle and comprises a clutch tootharrested alternately by two stop elements interconnected in such amanner as to be brought simultaneously out of the path of the clutchtooth or brought back simultaneously into this path.

TJNTTrn STATES PATENT oTTTts @ETMTQATE F CRET1N Patent No. 3 ,653 ,483Dated April 4 1972 lnventor(s) Alessandro Cortona, et, al0

It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 2, cancel "auxiliary" lines 10-11, cancel "as describedin copending application ser, No, 774,375 Nov, 8, 1968 Column 6, line39, '41 should read 141 Column 9, line 3, "11)" should be canceled; line21, 338" should read 388 line 50, after "track insert 416 and after"hole" insert 417 Column 10, line 55, after "electromagnet'", insert157. Following the reading of the corresponding character, unit 340causes the START flip-flop to change over to the inoperative state, as aresult of which it causes start electromagnet 157 to be deenergized, TheSTART flip-flop is then brought back to the operative state owing to theclosing of switch 270 effected by main shaft 146 (Fig, 7) o The unit 340(Fig. 11) drives the line-spacing actuating electromagnet 208 by meansof a flip-flop INT, normally in the operative state, to energizeelectromagnet Signed and sealed this 19th day of Decemher 1972,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM'DC 60376-P69 w u.s. GOVERNMENTPRINTING omcs; mawo-aea-su

1. In a paper feed system for an accounting or like machine including acylindrical platen for supporting a journal sheet, a line feed mechanismoperable to rotate the platen for line feeding said journal sheet, aform feed mechanism operable for feeding a continuous form around theplaten independently from said journal sheet and superimposed thereto, afirst feed shaft rotatable for operating said line feed mechanism, asecond feed shaft parallel to said first feed shaft and rotatable foroperating said form feed mechanism, a continuously rotatable motorshaft, and programmed operating means, the improvement comprising: anormally disengaged first presetting clutch engageable for causing saidfirst feed shaft to be rotated, a normally disengaged second presettingclutch engageable for causing said second feed shaft to be rotated, adriving member included in each one of said presetting clutches androtatably mounted on the corresponding one of said first and second feedshafts, a driven member included in each one of said presetting clutchesand rotatable bodily with said corresponding feed shaft, each of saiddriven members being engageable with the corresponding driving memberonly when said corresponding driving member is stationary, a commonshaft located perpendicular to said first and second feed shafts anddrivingly connected to said driving members for concomitant rotation, anormally disengaged actuating clutch engageable for causing said commonshaft to be rotated by said motor shaft, and engaging means controlledby said programmed operating means to cause the engagement of saidactuating clutch and selectively of said first and second presettingclutches.
 2. A paper feed system as recited in claim 1, wherein each ofsaid driven members is formed of a sleeve axially slidable but angularlysecured to the corresponding feed shaft, said sleeve being provided witha projection engageable with a notch provided in the correspondingdriving member.
 3. A paper feed system as recited in claim 1, comprisinga cyclic actuating mechanism operable under the control of theprogrammed operating means, said engaging means comprising for each ofthe actuating and first and second presetting clutches an electromagnet,an armature and an element connected to said armature and actuated bysaid cyclic actuating mechanism upon energization of the correspondingelectromagnet for causing the engagement of the corresponding clutch. 4.A paper feed system as recited in claim 3 wherein the cyclic actuatingmechanism comprises a start clutch and further engaging means forengaging said start clutch under the control of the programmed operatingmeans simultaneously with energization of the electromagnetscorresponding to the first and second presetting clutches.
 5. A paperfeed system as recited in claim 4 further comprising: causing means forcausing the start clutch to effect two consecutive cycles, the elementrelative to the selected presetting clutch being actuated by said cyclicactuating mechanism during a first cycle of said start clutch, andcontrol means actuated by the cyclic actuating mechanism to delay theaction of the programmed operating means on the electromagnet of theactuating clutch to cause the corresponding element to be actuatedduring the second cycle of the start clutch.
 6. A paper feed system asrecited in claim 5 wherein the actuating clutch is of the one-cycletype, said programmed operating means including means to selectIvelyenergize another electromagnet to prevent disengagement of the actuatingclutch at the end of the cycle so that the feed commanded constitutes ajump consisting of a plurality of line-spacing steps.
 7. A paper feedsystem as recited in claim 6 further comprising: means to deenergize thesaid another electromagnet by a signal derived when the required paperjump has been effected.
 8. A paper feed system as recited in claim 5wherein the start clutch is normally held disengaged by a releaseelement releaseable by a start electromagnet when said startelectromagnet is deenergized by the programmed operating means, saidcausing means comprising a switch operable to be closed to energize thestart electromagnet, the cyclic actuating mechanism being operativefirst to engage the release element and then to close said switch, as aresult of which this engagement remains without any effect in the firstcycle of the cyclic actuating mechanism.
 9. A paper feed system asrecited in claim 8 wherein said start electromagnet is energized by abistable circuit brought into an inoperative state by the programmedoperating means and restored to the operative state when the switch isclosed.
 10. A paper feed system as recited in claim 8 wherein theelectromagnet of the actuating clutch is energized by a bistable circuitbrought into an operative state by the programmed operating means andrestored to the inoperative state on the closing of said switch effectedduring the cycle of the actuating clutch.
 11. A paper feed system asrecited in claim 7 wherein said means to selectively energize anotherelectromagnet includes a bistable circuit brought into an operatingstate by the programmed operating means and said means to deenergizeanother electromagnet includes a photo-electric tape reader which sensesa tape associated with each one of said presetting clutches and moved bythe associated presetting clutch when engaged.
 12. A paper feed systemas recited in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical platen includes a mainplaten for supporting the journal sheet and the continuous form and anindependent platen for supporting a second continuous form, a secondform feed mechanism for advancing the second continuous form over saidindependent platen, said second form feed mechanism being advanced by athird feed shaft, said third feed shaft being provided with a normallydisengaged third presetting clutch including a third driving memberrotated by said common shaft on the engagement of the actuating clutch,and wherein the driven member of each of said presetting clutchescomprises a sleeve axially slidable on the corresponding feed shaft andengageable with the respective driving member by axial movement thereof.13. A paper feed system as recited in claim 12 wherein said actuatingclutch is of the type having a 180* cycle and comprises a clutch tootharrested alternately by two stop elements interconnected in such amanner as to be brought simultaneously out of the path of the clutchtooth or brought back simultaneously into this path.